The residents packed up what they could in the 15 minutes given to them. They grabbed their pets, photo albums and important documents. They did not have a chance to grab clothes or blankets. Evacuees stayed with friends, families or some stayed at Vandergrift High School which became a shelter for residents. The firefighters worked so hard non stop to control the fire. Helicopters fetched water from Lake Travis and poured on the fires.
The residents were kept in pins and needles trying to find out if their homes were still intact. Residents were finally allowed to return to their homes on Tuesday, September 6th at noon. 25 homes burned during the fire and about 50 homes were damaged.
My neighborhood in Lakeway kept close eye on the fire as only a narrow Lake Austin and 7 miles of cedar trees were in between us and Steiner Ranch. The Steiner Ranch residents pulled together to help each other and the victims. Many only lost spoiled food from the refrigerator when they lost power but many have terrible memories of that weekend.
On the same day the Steiner Ranch fire started, a fire also erupted in Spicewood by Briarcliff, in Leander and in Bastrop. Our community donated several bags of clothing for the victims as well as gift cards to the firefighters to replenish their equipment. If there is anything else we could do to help, please contact me.
Picture above was taken from my backyard shortly after the Steiner Ranch fire started.
